The Buccaneers secured more than just the first pick in the draft as a result of their 2-14 record in 2-14.
They also get first position to make waiver claims on any player waived this offseason and they put that advantage to work for them on Tuesday. The team has claimed safety D.J. Swearinger and linebacker Khaseem Greene and added them to their 90-man roster.
Swearinger was waived by the Texans on Monday, a little more than two years after they made him a second-round pick in the 2013 draft. Swearinger has been a big hitter in his two NFL seasons, but he’s also missed a lot of tackles and wasn’t a major asset in coverage while also running into some off-field trouble during his time in Houston. Bradley McDougald will likely be his chief competition at strong safety.
Greene was waived by the Bears, but he didn’t join the organization until Bucs coach Lovie Smith was gone from Chicago so there’s no history between them. Greene played 25 games and made six starts in two years with the Bears and will be looking for a depth role behind Bruce Carter and Lavonte David in Tampa.
The Bucs also announced that they have waived safety M.D. Jennings and signed three draft picks. Fourth-round linebacker Kwon Alexander, fifth-round wide receiver Kenny Bell and seventh-round fullback Joey Iosefa all signed their four-year deals, leaving just two picks unsigned in Tampa.